The Australian government will cap new international student commencements at 270,000, across higher education and vocational education. This cap, which is part of measures to address the impact of international students on the housing market, is set to take effect from 1 January 2025. This will be the National Planning Level limit for the 2025 calendar year.

New commencements will be divided between Higher Education and VET as follows:

• Public universities will have a total of around 145,000 commencements.
• Private universities and NUHEPs (Non-University Higher Education Providers) will have around 30,000.
• VET providers will have around 95,000.

The new enrolment cap will allow many public universities in Australia to admit more international students in 2025 compared to pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, some institutions will see an increase in new student numbers compared to 2024.

As international education continues to evolve, the Education Agents Association of Australia (EAAA) remains committed to supporting education agents in navigating these changes and ensuring that students receive accurate guidance in choosing their academic pathways. With shifting policies and enrolment trends, education professionals play a vital role in shaping Australia's international education landscape.